Homecoming Mums

[phamton]

I was in high school in Texas from 1965-1969 and we even had homecoming mums back in those days. Back then your date ordered them from the floursit for you. The ribbons had glitter and there were streamers with bells attached. They weren't as big as the ones now. We couldn't wear them to school but did wear them to the game. After homecoming, we hung them on our bulletin board in our bedroom.

 

[DVC Jen]

I always pick up the supplies at Michaels or Hobby Lobby too.

And make sure you do attach it to the bra strap. We learned that the hard way. Ripped a hole in my daughters t-shirt one year.

LOL Our high school even has a Mum "doctor" in for the day to make any last minute repairs.

I grew up in Ohio and thought this was extremely tacky at first. I just did not get it (still don't really). But.. it is an important tradition here..therefore it is important to my daughters.. so we go through the hassle of dealing with it.

I will be making a silver and white one this year instead of the school colors.. my daughter is a senior this year and that is the colors seniors wear.

My middle school aged daughter will get one in the high school colors..but on a smaller scale than what the high school girls wear.

 

[ericamanda01]

I grew up in Texas and everywhere I have lived since, no one has ever heard of a homecoming mum. I used to love them! I really felt bad for my boyfriend though. The first 2 years of HS my dad paid for my mum, but after that it was up to your HS sweetheart to pay for it. Our local florist just took the orders and our BF had to pay for and pick up those massive things.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

It is definitely a Texas thing, and Beca's description really says it all!

 

[d.kurz]

Traditions are good. So is school spirit! And it would be kin of fun to make your daughter's mum, I would think.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Hey..would it be tacky to go to a local HS's homecoming game and wear a mum with that school's colors, even though you didn't go to school there?
I was thinking about asking DH if he'd like to have DMIL babysit DS for the night, so we could enjoy the game together. And I'd LOVE to have a mum..homemade of course.

TOV

 

[janette]

Hey..would it be tacky to go to a local HS's homecoming game and wear a mum with that school's colors, even though you didn't go to school there?
I was thinking about asking DH if he'd like to have DMIL babysit DS for the night, so we could enjoy the game together. And I'd LOVE to have a mum..homemade of course.

TOV

I don't think so, as long as you didn't wear the colors of the opposing team That might get you lynched.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Our town's Homecoming game is in about a month, late Sept. I figured since DH is on town council (and a bunch of council members, as well as the mayor and other city officials, no doubt) will be there, it might be a good idea.


TOV

 

[Simba's Mom]

The great thing about them is the "toys" you add to them. Whatever activity you and your boyfriend/date are involved in....they actually make a little gold or silver "toy" for that. The toys get tied to the ribbons, along with little jingle bells. Then, your name goes on one ribbon, and your date's name on the other; and, finally "Homecoming '06" (or, whatever year) gets added to another ribbon. When all is said and done, it is a great souvenier of your high school days. My mom still has all of mine and my sister's mums.

And didn't you just hate it when you encountered one of those "stogy" teachers who made the girls take their mums off in class, claiming that all that jingling was too distracting? And the crummy band director who wouldn't even let his female band members wear their Mums with their uniforms when they played for homecoming. Boy, did we hear the complaints!
I'd never heard of Mums til we moved down here to Texas when our DSs were 10 and 13. I was so glad to have boys! Mothers of boys didn't often have to make Mums.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Mothers of boys didn't often have to make Mums.

I see alot of mom's and their boy's in Michael's putting together mums for the girlfriend's. It is really cute to see...

 

[Beca]

And didn't you just hate it when you encountered one of those "stogy" teachers who made the girls take their mums off in class, claiming that all that jingling was too distracting? And the crummy band director who wouldn't even let his female band members wear their Mums with their uniforms when they played for homecoming. Boy, did we hear the complaints!
I'd never heard of Mums til we moved down here to Texas when our DSs were 10 and 13. I was so glad to have boys! Mothers of boys didn't often have to make Mums.

Actually, we were not allowed to wear them to school...and, band kids were not allowed to put them on until after the halftime show.

Wow...I guess I really am showing my age!!!



Beca

 

[DiszyDeanette]

Gosh they are ugly! Why would anyone want to wear that? LOL! What's the point? When you mentioned Homecoming I thought you were talking about the dance and the pretty dresses.

That was an average sized mum. Mums are designed to attract as much attention as possible and/or collect as much ground foliage as possible, and can include toys, stuffed animals, candy, flashing lights and a kitchen sink. Places in TX where they really take Homecoming / Football seriously (i.e.. Midland & Odessa) the mum pictured on this thread would be closer to a Garter (smaller versions of mums, on a garter that boys wear on their arms) They favor 'horseshoe' mums that go over the entire shoulder. And of course, one mum is just the bare minimum. The girls really aim for at least three, one from a boyfriend, one from friends and one from parents, all worn at once. Yes, sometimes you cannot even see the girl underneath the mums. Which they like, because it means she's really popular (whoever she is). Being from CA, I don't 'get' it, but I've lived in Dallas long enough to know it's an institution that won't go away.

 

[goodeats]

We definitely didn't have these in Southern California, but there was a girl in my sorority from Texas. I remember having a big laugh over those Mums! They are hideous! But I do see how it's a nice tradition.

 

[babytrees]

I opened this thread thinking homecoming mums were flowers, maybe in school colors or something. I'm kind of glad we don't do these here.

I was thinking the same thing!!

Glad it seems to be a Texas thing!!

 

[RadioNate]

This might be a really late reply but I was at Michael's yesterday and they had all the 'stuff' to make Mums. 2 aisles worth!